Big bucks: Drought-hit Zimbabweans cut poverty, poaching with larger goats

WITH worsening droughts in western Zimbabwe making it difficult to grow enough food, the farmers of the Tonga community have been relying on hunting impala, guinea fowl and other wild animals to eat and sell for income.

The farmers in Binga district know their traditional practice of “hunting for the pot” is decimating local protected wildlife and puts them at risk of being arrested for poaching, but they say they have little choice: hunt or go hungry.

“This year the rain was not good, crops did not survive in the heat, and we know food will be scarce,” said Levia Mugande from Chivwetu village.

But now she and dozens of other farmers are looking at a new way to get protein on their plates and money in their pockets: a larger breed of goat that fetches a higher price at market.

Last year, Mugande got her first Boer goat buck